You finally obtained those new hearing aids. You’re finally going to be able to get back into the groove of your social life again. No more bad transitions or unclear conversations. But there’s a problem: everything sounds a little bit off.
The reason for this is that it will usually take a bit of time before you adjust to your new hearing aids. This can be a frustrating transition. You were so looking forward to enjoying your hearing again and it feels like it’s hard to be patient.
But there are some tips you can practice to decrease this transition period. Before long, with a little practice, you will be focusing on what you’re hearing rather than your hearing aids.
Tips that help you start Slowly
No matter how technologically advanced they might be, it’s going to take your brain a little while to adjust to hearing certain sounds again. Use these tips to proceed slowly and purposely give your ears time to adjust.:
- At first, try to focus on one-on-one conversations: You may be setting yourself up for disappointment if you wear your hearing aids in a noisy environment on the first day. When the brain needs to focus on all those voices, it can get overloaded at first. By starting out with one-on-one conversations you will make the transition smoother and also get a little extra practice.
- Begin by using your hearing aids at home only: You’ll be less likely to encounter noise pollution at home and you will be able to have a better degree of control over the sounds you’re hearing. This means you can focus on one voice at a time.
- Only wear your hearing aids for short periods of time at first: When you’re just starting, you can practice by using your hearing aids for just a few hours at a time. They might feel a little funny at first (this is normal), so it’s okay to start slowly. As your hearing aids get more comfortable, you can wear them for longer periods of time.
Tips that help you get extra practice in
There are some activities, as with any skill, that can help you practice hearing. Some of these are even fun!
- Read along with the printed book while you listen to the audiobook.: This comparable exercise can also be quite enjoyable. Your brain will learn to make associations between words and sounds by employing this read along technique.
- Watch TV with the closed-captions on: It’s easy: put in your hearing aids, turn on the television, and watch your favorite show. Your brain will begin remembering what certain words sound like as you read along with the voices you’re hearing. This can give you some practice hearing and getting used to speech.
- Do some listening practice: That’s right: Sit somewhere a little quiet and experience the sounds around you. You can practice by concentrating on trying to hear the refrigerator running or the cat meowing in another room or the birds singing outside.
Tips to keep your hearing health strong
Obviously, one of the purposes of hearing aids is to keep your ears as healthy as you can. But, as you take some time to get accustomed to your new hearing aids, there are a few things you can do that your ears will thank you for.:
- Be sure to take note of and report any pain: Because it shouldn’t hurt to wear hearing aids. So if you’re experiencing any pain or something’s not fitting right, it’s important to let us know as soon as possible.
- Keep visiting us: You might not think you need to get hearing assessments anymore after you get your hearing aids. Nothing could be further from the truth. We can help tune your hearing aids, keep the fit comfortable, and continue to keep an eye on your hearing. These follow up appointments are really important.
Go slow and maximize your time as you get used to your hearing aids
Working your way up to wearing your hearing aids full time is the goal here. A slow and steadfast strategy is often effective, but everybody’s different. Understanding the best ways to get comfortable with your new hearing aids is something we can help you with.
Following these tips (and tips like them) can help make sure that you enjoy having your hearing aids and that you keep using them because they continue to improve your life.